Australian Open Quarterfinals: Ranking the Final Eight

4 of 9

AO Quarterfinals: Ranking the Final Eight

Sep 3, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) reacts after winning a point in his match against Kei Nishikori (JPN) on day ten of the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

6. Stan Wawrinka

How he got here:

R1: Marcel Ilhan in three

R2: Marius Copil in three

R3: Jarko Niemenen in three

R4: Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in four

Possible path to title:

QF: (5) Kei Nishikori

SF: (1) Novak Djokovic

F: (3) Rafael Nadal

Chance at Championship:

Wawrinka started the conversation about the Big Four not winning every Grand Slam by breaking through at the Australian Open last year. He fully deserved that title and is playing outstanding tennis again this year. Wawrinka has had probably the easiest road to the quarters. Garcia-Lopez was the highest ranked opponent at No.37 and he is not usually a hard court threat. Wawrinka is also struggling with a right elbow injury that has greatly weakened his serve. The easy road becomes probably the toughest starting with his next match. Nishikori is playing great and has heightened confidence after coming through a difficult draw. If he gets past the man from Japan, Djokovic and either Nadal or Murray is too tall an order for Wawrinka this time around.

Australian Open Champion Percentage: 9%

Next: Australian Open Quarter Final Ranks: Number 5

More from Lob and Smash

Home/Andy Murray